NWF Flyover Oil in Marshes
NationalWildlife - May 27
http://www.youtube.com/...
Chris Pulaski, Coastal Louisiana Organizer, National Wildlife Federation:
We received reports this morning from BP that there was approximately 30 acres of Marsh that were impacted with crude oil, which we felt was really low. So we wanted to go out and see for ourselves and get an idea of how much is really out there. We flew out of Venice, down the Mississippi River [...]
I think saying that there were 30 acres of impacted Marsh, was an insult. I think it's 100's if not 1000's of impacted acres already -- and it's still early.
...
Of course we all know how good BP is at estimating things, like Barrels leaking, like Days til completing something, like those "legitimate" economic impacts, like the value of well-choreographed PR ... it's little wonder they had so much trouble gauging "a few thousand" acres of Oily Marshlands.
It seems BP, and their Contractors, may have a little problem, estimating the numbers of dead and dying animals, too ... or at least a little problem, talking about it ...
Dead or injured birds, dolphins & turtles increase from oil spill
SFGate
Posted By: Yobie Benjamin -- June 06 2010
[...]
As of today June 6, there are dead or injured 820 birds, 289 dead or injured sea turtles, and 33 dead or injured mammals (including dolphins).
Five of the world's seven sea turtle species are found in the Gulf of Mexico: leatherback, hawksbill, green, loggerhead and Kemp's ridley. Each of the five sea turtle species of the Gulf is now classified as either threatened or endangered and could become extinct unless steps are taken to protect and enhance its populations.
Also gravely impacted are [...] Atlantic bottle nose dolphins [...] Other endangered species living in the gulf include the sperm whale, and birds such as the piping plover and the gulf sturgeon.
National Wildlife Federation senior scientist Dr. Doug Inkley explains, these numbers tell only part of the story: "The deaths of dolphins and sea turtles are particularly tragic, because we know we are only seeing the tip of the iceberg with those that have been washed up onshore and tested."
[...] New York Daily News reporters Matthew Lysiak and Helen Kennedy reported that interviews were conducted with BP contractors. The contractors took the Daily News to locations where dolphin carcasses were dead and rotting. The contractor interviewed said, "When we found this dolphin it was filled with oil. Oil was just pouring out of it. It was the saddest darn thing to look at."
[...]
The interviewed contractor continues, "There is a lot of cover-up for BP. They specifically informed us that they don't want these pictures of the dead animals. They know the ocean will wipe away most of the evidence. It's important to me that people know the truth about what's going on here. The things I've seen... They just aren't right. All the life out here is just full of oil.
[The link above has several confirming photos.]
Here is BP's binding agreement that people have to sign to be qualified as contractors. Note Article 22.
[and Note: diarist's transcription:]
ARTICLE 22. PUBLICITY RELEASES AND MARKETING
VESSEL OWNER and employees will not make news releases, marketing presentations, or any other public statements this CHARTER, CHARTERER, or the SERVICES performed under this CHARTER without the CHARTERER'S prior written approval. VESSEL OWNER agrees that such approval is at the sole discretion of CHARTERER.
[I'm guessing CHARTERER is legalese for "BP" --
and Article 22 is legalese for "STFU!" ]
BTW, that National Wildlife Federation senior scientist has some dire warning about the LACK OF Boom-tending going on in those Marshlands ... and some rare video too ...
Oil Booms & Bird Habitat - NWF visits important bird rookery
From: NationalWildlife, June 02, 2010
[youtube clip of Pelican Nesting Colony]
http://www.youtube.com/...
Dr Doug Inkley, Senior Scientist:
You just can't leave the Boom out here, and walk away.
[...]
It's like a slow motion train wreck.
[...]
We know that a single drop of oil on an egg, can cause that egg to die.
If something like this were going on -- the Media being denied access to public places by BP Contractors -- surely we would have heard about this on the National News by now?
Well it seems that we have ...
CBS News Reporters heard about the dying animals washing ashore in Louisiana.
They tried to go out and see for themselves ... and well here's what happened next ...
Dead Dolphins and Turtles Washing up on Beaches
May 20, 2010 —
BP says Reporters are NOT Allowed to film the dead animals from the Oil Spill. Turtles Dolphins and other creatures are washing up on shore on many beaches.
[...] CBS journalists were threatened with arrest by BP contractors and the Coast Guard when they attempted to film the public beach.
http://www.youtube.com/...
Listen for yourself, in that last CBS News clip:
"A boat of BP Contractors, with 2 Coast Guard officials on board, told us turn around under threat of arrest -- explaining 'This is BP's rules -- it's not ours'"
Could it be that BP Contractors were merely enforcing Article 22, when they turned away that News crew?
They didn't have any "prior written approval" afterall for any "news releases" like this -- and their Jobs were are stake.
Really kind of a Catch 22 when you think about it. Especially when you consider WHO the Coast Guard really works for.
and what THEIR Employment Contract actually says ...
The Reporter said, in follow-up calls, the Coast Guard, said they would "look into it" ...
Hmmmm ... I wonder if they're still looking?
Or maybe that request for accountability, just got washed out to sea, like so many other "countless" tragedies, of this "slow motion train wreck" in Gulf?
============= Updated ======================
H/T to Unenergy for this new BP outrage:
Call Center Calls -- that go Nowhere -- that end up in the "Circular File" ...
Let the BP whistleblowing begin
Karl Burkart, MNN.COM --Jun 14, 2010
According KHOU (Channel 11 in Houston) over 200,000 phone calls have been received by BP from distressed Gulf residents since they set up their call centers, but as the woman named "Janice" described the messages left go nowhere. Knowing this, many of the call center workers just jot down "Blah, Blah, Blah."
Many people in need or urgent assistance are deceived into thinking their messages are being formally documented, but it's clear that BP's ineptitude even extends to the simple task of taking phone messages.
Where are the Congressional investigations?
They are overdue.